The Fall For Love

Chapter 22: The Attack

                                                            **Trigger Warning for attempted sexual assault.**

Lillian fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. She had no idea how much time had passed before she was roused from sleep by a persistent knocking on her front door.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming!" Wrapping her robe around her, she walked to the door and opened it to see a very inebriated James stood there. 

"James? What are you doing here.....what time is it?" He leant in closer to her and she could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I came to see my favourite girl." He stroked her face and she flinched back.

"You're drunk" said Lillian, as she backed away slightly. There was something in James' eyes that made her nervous.

"That's never stopped us before." He stepped closer to her and Lillian put a hand on his chest.

"What's going on here?" His smiled disappeared and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration

"I've been trying to talk to you Lillian....to talk about us." his voice was getting louder. "But you just keep brushing me off."

"I know James and I'm sorry, but.....I'm just not looking for anything right-" Lillian was cut off mid sentence as James grabbed her by the waist and kissed her. She roughly pushed him away. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Lillian expected to see shame or regret on his face, but saw only anger.

"Seriously?! It was never a problem before.....you used me all you wanted then!" Lillian was taken aback by this burst of anger from him.

"If you recall, we used each other....I'm not getting into this right now, you're drunk and being a massive dickhead."

"Actually, I'm being honest. What is so wrong with the thought of us being together?! I'm good enough to fuck but not be your boyfriend?!"

"I have always been honest with you James. I am not interested in a relationship with anyone." Lillian tried to placate him. "I'm far too busy with the club and-" James laughed humourlessly

"Always with the fucking club! That is always your excuse and it's bullshit.....you're just too scared to get close to anyone!" Lillian was stunned into silence for a moment, before she found her voice again.

"Get. Out." she seethed.

"Shit Lils, I'm sorry.....I've had too much to drink and I'm being a dick right now." 

He walked towards her with his hands outstretched and she backed away further into the flat. She was angry at him, but she was also afraid. This wasn't the James she knew. He grabbed her face between his hands. Lillian felt her eyes fill with tears as she felt helpless in that moment.

"Please James." she begged. "you need to leave." He shook his head.

"Not until you tell me that you don't hate me."

"I don't hate you.....but I need to to go home and sober up." she hated the shakiness in her voice, but she was so afraid.

"Can't I stay here with you?" he still held her face between his hands. "I love you Lils." 

Lillian stiffened in his grip. He kissed her again with such force that it hurt and she was unable to fight back. He backed her further into the flat until she felt the back of her knees hit the sofa. Tears were now streaming down her face and her voice was muffled with his mouth when she begged him to stop. He took his mouth from hers.

"Please Lils, I need you."

"Get off me!" she screamed. Her door was still open so she hoped that one of her neighbours could hear her.

"Just one night Lils, I'm going to use you how you used me." He held her hands above her head and kissed her neck, using his other hand to undo her robe.

"Please.....no more." she begged quietly feeling the fight drain out of her. She choked out a sob and squeezed her eyes shut. 

Suddenly she felt James' torn away from her and opened her eyes just in time to see him fly across the room. Focusing on the figure in front of her, she realised it was Michael. He stood there, his face a mask of fury and she could have sworn his eyes were red.

"M....Michael?" His attention was focused solely on James, who was slowly getting up.

"I'm going to fucking kill you." growled Michael, before he stormed over to James and effortlessly pinned him against the wall by his collar. "How dare you touch her." His fist made contact with James' face.

"Get off me you fucker!" shouted James, spitting out blood.

"Michael.....please don't" Lillian's voice was quiet, but she knew that he had heard her as he instantly dropped James to the floor. James struggled up and limped to the door, before leaving, he turned to Lillian with a scornful look.

"I should have known you were fucking him.....I didn't pin you as a gold digger Lils." Lillian frustration erupted as she screamed at him.

"Get the fuck out!!" He limped out, slamming the door behind him. In the next moment, Michael was crouched at her feet.

"Are you okay?" Looking into his eyes, now blue and full of concern, was her undoing. She burst into tears. 

How had this happened? James was supposed to be her friend.....how could he do this? Was it her fault for rejecting him? She felt Michael's arms wrap around her and instantly she felt safe. Her tears flowed for a long time.

"I don't understand why he.....he...." she broke down into sobs again. "He was supposed to be my friend." 

Lucifer just held her close to him. He dare not say anything until he could get his rage under control. He would make sure that James paid for he did in this life and the next. Once the tears subsided, she pulled away and looked at him.

"What are you doing here?" Lucifer took a deep breath before speaking.

"I came to talk to you, but I noticed the door was open, when I saw-" he gritted his teeth so hard he was sure they would break.

"At 3am?"

"I couldn't sleep." he said. "I took a walk and ended up here." she nodded.

"Well, I'm very glad that you did....thank you." she gave him a sad smile that broke his heart. "I won't ask how you know where I live." There was a moment's silence between them both, before Lucifer broke it.

"You know, I can take care of him for you....if that's what you want?" he offered, thinking that he would rather choke the life out of the man with his bare hands.

"I don't know what to do.....but right now, I just want to sleep again." Lucifer nodded and went to stand before her quiet voice stopped him.

"Would you stay with me?" He was grateful she had asked, as if not, he would have kept guard outside of her door all night.

"Of course, whatever you need." He stood and offered a hand to help her up. Once she was stood, Lucifer wrapped her gown around her again. She wrapped her arms around him and they stood like that for a long time, until she let out a yawn. Lucifer pulled away slightly. "Come on, lets get you to bed." He helped her into bed and tucked the covers around her. "I will sleep on the sofa." he said, standing up.

"Will you sleep here please?" he nodded and fully clothed, he lay down on top of the covers beside her. "Goodnight Michael."

"Good night Lillian." As Lucifer lay there, listening to her breathing slow as she drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but wonder if his mission to bring her back to Hell with him really was a good idea. 

Had she not been through enough already?